My offseason prediction for Mike Wallace

[Steelhere10]

James C Wexell ‏@jimwexell:

As I posted at http://SCI.net , Walllace wants to leave, Keenan wants to stay, Max thinks he's already gone, Foote will come back cheap

https://twitter.com/jimwexell

Is wexell the same reporter that came up Bruce A to be fired 3yrs ago. Wallace wanted to be on the team before the season started, I think frustration is talking enough money would make him stay. There Are going to be reports on both sides. I heard a report last week on BNG radio that RM and Wallace were in negotiation with the Steelers.

[hawaiiansteel]

Like I said...

Wexell is a very credible reporter.

[Steelhere10]

When you are coming off back-to-back 12-4 seasons, a team is more likely to hold on to veteran starters to continue their successful run. However, when you are coming off an 8-8 season and missing the playoffs, a team is more apt to skew more toward youth that has a long-term future over aging players that have no long-term future.

With this in mind, I think the team does what it takes to keep Lewis and Wallace on board (even if many fans on message boards planned to rejoice when Wallace signed elsewhere). They might even try to bring back Mendenhall (who has even less support on Steeler message boards than Wallace).

In order to make this happen, they may have to make some tough calls on popular Steeler stars (something that Tomlin did once upon a time with Joey Porter). Folks here may not like moves like this, but locking up young talent and parting ways with older pricey players has long been a Steeler staple. Now that a bit of time has passed since our last Super Bowl appearance in 2010 and our last Super Bowl victory in 2008, the front office may go back to this youth-centric way of business as opposing to continuing to hold on to Super Bowl heroes.

So true, a lot of contracts are up and others will be torn up and the Steelers will decide if they want all three. Any one remember years ago when the discussion was about keeping Timmons, Harrison and Woodley and they all received huge contracts. They will and can keep who the choose to.

[Oviedo]

Is wexell the same reporter that came up Bruce A to be fired 3yrs ago. Wallace wanted to be on the team before the season started, I think frustration is talking enough money would make him stay. There Are going to be reports on both sides. I heard a report last week on BNG radio that RM and Wallace were in negotiation with the Steelers.

IMO Wallace never wanted to stay which is why he did the exact opposite of what the Steelers wanted him to do. He doesn't like the fans having another favorite WR in Antonio Brown. I think he was realistically gone from start of the season.

[BigRob]

Like I said...

Wallace will see if he can get more from someone else before signing any deal with the Steelers. You really think a team like Cleveland, Redskins, or other cap rich teams won't be looking to sign him?

We have our own cap issues, and we have young players that need signed. Lewis, Allen, Sanders (A good #3 receiver). We're an 8-8 team with a lot of changes that need to be made.

Wallace is gone.

[BigRob]

So true, a lot of contracts are up and others will be torn up and the Steelers will decide if they want all three. Any one remember years ago when the discussion was about keeping Timmons, Harrison and Woodley and they all received huge contracts. They will and can keep who the choose to.

How did that work out? I would say Steelers haven't exactly gotten their money out of those deals over the last two years. The only one who has performed is the one everybody dogs (Timmons).

[Oviedo]

When you are coming off back-to-back 12-4 seasons, a team is more likely to hold on to veteran starters to continue their successful run. However, when you are coming off an 8-8 season and missing the playoffs, a team is more apt to skew more toward youth that has a long-term future over aging players that have no long-term future.

With this in mind, I think the team does what it takes to keep Lewis and Wallace on board (even if many fans on message boards planned to rejoice when Wallace signed elsewhere). They might even try to bring back Mendenhall (who has even less support on Steeler message boards than Wallace).

In order to make this happen, they may have to make some tough calls on popular Steeler stars (something that Tomlin did once upon a time with Joey Porter). Folks here may not like moves like this, but locking up young talent and parting ways with older pricey players has long been a Steeler staple. Now that a bit of time has passed since our last Super Bowl appearance in 2010 and our last Super Bowl victory in 2008, the front office may go back to this youth-centric way of business as opposing to continuing to hold on to Super Bowl heroes.

I hope they can keep Lewis and Wallace but there is going to have to be a seismic shift in the roster for them to do that. I completely agree that when you finish 8-8, and look bad doing it, that everything needs to be looked and no option not considered. The reality is I think we are entering a period much like we had at the late 90s where we have a couple of substandard seasons to restock the roster with the players who win another championship or two. We will then win a championship or two to send out Ben at the end of his career like his hero Elway went out.

[Ghost]

He may be "taking his talents to South Beach".... Phins have $40+ million in cap space to use. Could be looking to make a splash (dolphin pun not intended).

[BigRob]

He may be "taking his talents to South Beach".... Phins have $40+ million in cap space to use. Could be looking to make a splash (dopphin pun not intended).

They also have a very Snyder like owner in Stephen Ross. I could see them trying to get Wallace to pair with Tannehill.

[Steelhere10]

Do you guys realize that only Brown and Cothery are the only wr that's under contract along with Gilreath and the season that Sanders had I just can't see the Steelers letting him walk.